Citizen

Citizen is a real-time public-safety intelligence platform and mobile application developer operated by sp0n, Inc. It combines emergency-dispatch communications, computer-aided dispatch feeds and crowdsourced mobile media to deliver location-specific incident alerts and situational-awareness tools to users across more than 60 major US metropolitan areas.

Its internal Mission Control operation uses machine-learning systems alongside human communication analysts to assess incoming reports, reduce false alarms and issue geofenced notifications. The platform also offers subscription services including Citizen Plus and Citizen Premium, which connect users to 24/7 personal-safety agents for monitored walks, live GPS sharing, emergency support and responder-dispatch assistance.

Products and services

• Real-time, scanner-verified emergency notifications and community-sourced incident reporting
• Live video streaming and field journalism within the Citizen mobile application
• Personal-safety tele-assistance and emergency coordination through Citizen Plus and Citizen Premium
• Situational-intelligence feeds and API integrations for public agencies, security teams and institutions

Live virtual broadcasting

Citizen has developed an in-house virtual broadcast capability that brings Mission Control reporting into live breaking-news streams. Live Safety Broadcasters present coverage from real-time virtual environments designed for both conventional and vertical mobile viewing.

The production workflow uses Unreal Engine 5.8 for virtual control rooms and intelligence-floor environments, with Nanite, Substrate materials and Lumen lighting. Its broadcast stack also incorporates Aximmetry for green-screen presenter keying, reflection planes and dynamic lighting states, while dedicated RTX 5090 workstations support real-time sets at 60 fps and above. Dual outputs are configured for 16:9 and 9:16 distribution.

History

The business was founded in 2015 and first introduced its app in New York City in October 2016 as Vigilante. It rebranded and relaunched as Citizen on March 8, 2017, shifting its focus toward situational awareness and community protection. Citizen later expanded its offering beyond alerts with live broadcasting, personal-safety services and public-safety intelligence products.